UK man charged after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law at Florida holiday resort
A British man has been arrested in Florida after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law during a family holiday at a luxury resort near Disney World.
Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, is accused of launching a violent attack on the woman, 33, in a swimming pool at the Solterra Resort in Davenport. According to police reports, the alleged incident unfolded after a family argument over “stipulations of his will” spiralled out of control.
Authorities say the situation turned dangerous when Gibbon forced the woman under the water. His nine-year-old granddaughter, witnessing the struggle, reportedly leapt into the pool in an attempt to rescue her mother. Gibbon is said to have pushed the child away.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the attack stopped only when two nearby resort guests intervened and shouted that they had phoned emergency services. Deputies arrived shortly after 5:15pm on Saturday, 3 August, and arrested Gibbon at the scene.
The victim told officers she feared for her life during the ordeal. “She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown,” deputies noted in their official statement. “She had to fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water but he kept pushing her back under.”
Gibbon allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law under the water, but denied any intention to kill her. Despite his claims, he was taken into custody and formally charged with attempted second-degree murder and battery. He is scheduled to appear in court on 9 September.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented publicly on the incident, expressing disbelief over the alleged attack. “It’s great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world,” he said. “But we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr Gibbon couldn’t control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.”
The shocking nature of the case has drawn attention due to Gibbon’s career in the entertainment industry. He is a veteran lighting technician who runs his own business, MRG Lighting. His portfolio includes work on music videos for global stars such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and Paloma Faith.
The Solterra Resort, where the incident took place, is a gated holiday community just minutes away from some of Florida’s most popular attractions. Known for its serene surroundings and family-focused facilities, the resort has now become the backdrop to an alleged act of attempted murder that has stunned holidaymakers and shaken the local community.
Local authorities continue to investigate, but for now, Gibbon remains behind bars awaiting trial. The family involved is believed to have returned to the UK or sought alternative accommodation after the traumatic event.
The case underscores the fragile line between domestic tension and sudden violence—even in the most idyllic of settings. What was intended to be a summer holiday near the Magic Kingdom has instead turned into a criminal case that could see a British grandfather face years in a Florida prison.